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XLII. An Address to a Phrenologist. By A ConRESPONDENT. 
* Tf not to some peculiar end assign’d, 
Study ’s the specious trifling of the mind.”—Youna. 
Tue craniological, now phrenological, opinions of Drs. Gall 
and Spurzheim again draw the attention of some individuals in 
this country, and the following remarks on these opinions may 
perhaps not be altogether unworthy of their attention. 
2 Address to a Phrenologist. 
Take it for granted that your opinion regarding the organi- 
zation of the brain be correct, and that in the head of each in- 
dividual there are certain indications of certain qualities, affec- 
tions, or powers of that individual’s mind; does it not follow that 
these indications and the qualities they indicate, are either ne- 
cessarily existent in the individual from bis first formation ? or the 
effect of peculiar associations of ideas at a very early period in life ? 
1. If the former be your opinion,.do you mean to say that in 
_ the formation of man certain qualities are united, and that his 
head, jike a mineral crystal, is of a determinate form according 
to the proportions of its constituent elements? If so, does not 
your doctrine lead to fatalism ? and its promulgation will be dan- 
’ gerous to society, because, to some minds it may be made plau- 
sible by a continual reference to an apparent agreement with 
physical observations; and particularly in minds that have not a 
ready antidote of truths drawn from more legitimate sources. 
2. If vou say that these indications are the effect of peculiar 
associations, you have only found a very imperfect means of 
knowing that which is apparent, as far as it is useful, to com- 
mon observation. Perhaps your system may strengthen the or- 
gan of suspicion in those who have it, and sometimes create it 
where it was not: how desirable this may be, you are left to judge. 
- It is true that certain muscles in the arm of a smith gain more 
than ordinary strength by constant action under a strain in one 
direction ; that those of a cobler acquire a peculiar set from a si- 
milar cause; and it may be, that the exertion of certain powers 
of the mind may enlarge certain parts of the brain. But would 
you study the laws which move the ocean in the impressions it 
- makes on the sea-shore? Rather let the mind itself be the direct 
object of your inquiries; let the laws of its action be your study; 
the force and peculiar direction of that action is always sufficiently 
demonstrated in the individual’s intercourse with the world. 
Viewing your system through the medium of utility, I think 
it will appear to be decidedly hostile to the best interests of so- 
ciety; or, at the most, only an object of disagreeable curiosity. 
Your presence may excite alarm in a weak mind; such a mind 
Aa2 ; may 
